QUEZON CITY, Philippines — On July 25, 2026, 100 volunteers from IBM Philippines gathered at Million Trees in La Mesa, Quezon City, and successfully planted 1,000 native tree saplings—including Narra, Malabulak, and Bignay. Organized in partnership with ASSIST, this initiative directly aids in protecting the water quality of the La Mesa Dam reservoir, regulating water flow, and reducing local air pollution.
The La Mesa Watershed is more than just a patch of greenery on the map. It is the direct lifeline of clean water for millions of residents across Metro Manila. Over the years, soil erosion and forest denudation have threatened the natural strength of these vital catchment areas.
To combat this, ASSIST collaborated with IBM Philippines under the banner of the IBM Stronger Together: Tree Planting campaign, aligning directly with the Million Trees Foundation, Inc. and the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) Annual Million Trees Challenge.
The driving philosophy of the project was simple: plant the right tree in the right place. While bamboos (Bambusa vulgaris) fortify nearby riverbanks against rapid erosion, indigenous and fruit-bearing species were selected specifically for inland soil stabilization.
Under the morning sun, 100 IBMers gathered with their trowels and gloves to plant native species chosen purposefully to strengthen and sustain the local ecosystem. With every sapling set into the earth, volunteers were laying down a natural defense system for the La Mesa reservoir. These 1,000 native trees will grow to hold soil in place, filter rain runoff, absorb carbon, and safeguard the water source for generations to come.
Real conservation happens when businesses, NGOs, and communities act together. By engaging employees in hands-on environmental restoration, companies like IBM build more than a responsible brand. They protect clean water supplies, build climate resilience, and establish a blueprint for scalable corporate environmental stewardship.
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